thoughtful mind, and of no ordinary retentive power, he heard passages of Scripture read, (not being able to read himself,) committed them to memory, and would astonish his friends by repeating them when at home, and when others who had heard had forgotten them. He was ever glad at the return of the sabbath, desirous to be at school in time for its commencing, and while there was orderly and serious, for one so young; and, indeed, a pattern for many of his schoolfellows, older than himself. We have seen him at school; let us follow him to his home. He is on his death-bed; not anxious about recovery from his illness, if God saw fit to order events otherwise, nor restless while in pain, but resigned to the will of that heavenly Parent, whose love filled his young heart, who, like "Young Timothy, betimes was taught To know his holy word." His father went into the room where he was lying, and he said, "Father, the money must not be used for anything" (referring to his own money); "it must go to the Missionaries; and if I get any more, that must go too." At another time, and it was the last, he said he saw something; he could not describe it, but wished his mother to look, and, by his gestures and animated countenance, evidently saw some glorious prospect with the mind's eye, as nothing was perceptible to others. He then wished to see a neighbour who lived in the next house; and when she came in he said, 66 'Nanny, I'm going." "Where are you going, Thomas ?" she "To heaven. I can't see, but I can hear," said the dying child, and thus slept in Jesus: asked. "How sweet his slumbers are! Young Readers! You who occupy similar stations, either in life or the sabbath-school, or both, observe in this youthful disciple what is worthy of imitation, and "go and do likewise." Fewer than that of many were his opportunities for obtaining knowledge; yet was he rich in the little he possessed, and desirous to tell others of the good things he heard; and now a sweet savour remains, although he has entered into the joy of his Lord, to join, we hope, four brothers and sisters, who, within the short space of fourteen months, have been called from their earthly home, to exchange time for eternity! Are you ready for heaven? C. W. STORY ABOUT A JEWISH DEAR CHILDREN,-I have a story to tell you about a Jewish family, who became Christian; and a fine little boy, called Abraham, who was taken very ill, and died. The story, as told me, is the following: "Last spring I baptized a Jewish family, consisting of seven souls. Bthe father, belonged to an ancient Portuguese Jewish family; and when young he had married a Christian woman of the Reformed Church, (au occurrence not very uncommon in Holland), who, shortly after her marriage, embraced Judaism. Years rolled on, and she felt undisturbed in her conscience. Their children were brought up in the Jewish religion. This family dwelt in Haarlem, where between two and three hundred Jews live, who are as bigoted as those of Rotterdam. One of their teachers used to endeavour to annoy me, and to taunt me, by saying, 'Go to Mrs. B, and try to bring her back to your religion. But I suppose,' he used to add, with a sneer, 'she has found Judaism, after all, to be the religion of the Bible.' I went to B, and he came to me at Amsterdam. I visited him many, many a time but the stony hearts of the man and his wife remained for a long time unmoved, till the Lord, in his mercy, softened them. The words which I spoke in my weakness and simplicity, the Spirit of grace brought home to their souls. The Gospel light broke in upon their darkness. "The man was first converted, and shortly afterward his wife. No sooner had they made a public confession that Jesus is the Christ, than a flood of severe persecutions broke in upon the family; so much so, that I was obliged to remove them to Amsterdam, where I baptized the father and all his children. A new persecution arose, and the father of this interesting family was bronght to the brink of abject poverty; but he bore all with a resignation and fortitude which would have done honour to a primitive Christian. He was again obliged to remove with his family to his former place of abode, Haarlem, in order to get a livelihood. They had scarcely arrived here, when it pleased God, in his mysterious providence, to try the faith of these young converts with peculir afflictions. Till now the poor man used to comfort himself under all his trials: We are all, thanks be to the Lord, in good health, and can work; therefore, we must not murmur, for we are still better off than those who have illness in their families.' But all at once, five of his children were taken ill. "One of these children, a fine boy nine years of age, Abraham by name, the darling child of his affectionate father, became dangerously ill. He was attacked by a malignant ague; and words would fail to describe the piety with which he tried to comfort his suffering brothers and sisters, and persuade them to take their medicine. On the day when the ague was not so severe, he repeated the catechism, which he had already learned, and passages of Scripture, fearing he might forget them. After several weeks of suffering, the ague left him; but dropsy attacked him, and took its place, and so dreadfully that all hope of recovery was given up. "His suffering parents, standing at his bedside, shortly before his depar ture to his eternal rest, crying and sobbing, the little sufferer said to them, Oh, do not cry; for Abraham is going to the Lord Jesus Christ, where all Christian children go!' His sufferings became excruciating, but not a murmur was heard. On the day of his death he was observed continually in prayer, ejaculating every now and then Lord Jesus, deliver! oh, deliver me!' The Lord Jesus did deliver him. He fell asleep, with a heavenly smile upon his placid face, and angels carried his redeemed soul into the bosom of 'father Abraham.' The parents, who up to that time were inclined to murmur, now fell on their knees, and praised the Lord for having thus dealt with their departed child. "Now, Lord,' they exclaimed, 'now we believe! oh, pardon our unbelief!' Their other children recovered; but none is like departed Abraham." Dear children! many of you will soon leave this world. Have you thought where you are to dwell for ever? Are you beginning to think, read, and pray about heaven? A FATHER. SERPENTS.-A TERRIBLE STORY. CHILDREN, Humboldt, the famous Tra- sought what could be the design of this numerous assemblage; and I conIcluded that this species of serpents dreaded some colossean enemy, which might be the great serpent, or the cayman; and that they re-unite themselves after having seen this enemy, in order to attack or resist him in a mass." Children!-If a collection of Serpents forms a sight so dreadful, what will an assembly of millions of devils be? Would it not have been horrible beyond expression to be thrown among the serpents? What will it be to be cast among the devils? Oh! terribleterrible! You cannot think of it! Flee, then, from the wrath to come! D. LOVECHILD. THE NEGRO'S WISH. cubo, in Guiana, I saw the most wonderful, the most terrible spectacle that can be seen; and although it be not uncommon to the inhabitants, no traveller has ever mentioned it. We were ten men on horseback, two of whom My children, if you like to do good, to took the lead in order to sound the make the poor happy, and to comfort passages, whilst I preferred to skirt the the afflicted; if you like to receive great forests. One of the blacks who their warm thanks and blessings, and formed the vanguard returned full gal- to see the tear of affection and thanklop, and called to me, Here, sir, come fulness stand in their eye; then you and see serpents in a pile !' He pointed love to help the Missionary Society. out to me something elevated in the The blessing of them that are ready to middle of the Savannah, which ap- perish, comes upon the head of every peared like a bundle of arms. One of little boy and girl who helps to send my company then said, This is cer- the Gospel to the heathen. You cantainly one of those assemblages of not hear their thanks now; but if you serpents which heap themselves on meet them in heaven, they will thank each other after a violent tempest. I you there. Mr. Scott, of Demerara, have heard of these, but have never says, that he once visited a very excelseen any; let us proceed cautiously, lent negro woman on her dying bed. and not go too near.' When we were He took leave of her as though he exwithin twenty paces of it, the terror of pected to see her no more in this our horses prevented our nearer ap- world. Just as he was turning away, proach, to which, however, none of us she made signs of wishing to say were inclined. Suddenly the piramidal something else. He drew near her mass became agitated: horrible hiss-bed-side, when, with her dying breath, ings issued from it; thousands of serpents, rolled spirally on each other, shot forth out of the circle their hideous heads, presenting their envenomed darts and fiery eyes to us. I own I was one of the first to draw back; but when I saw this formidable phalanx remained at its post, and appeared to be more disposed to defend itself than to attack us. I rode round it, in order to view its order of battle, which faced the enemy on every side. I then she made the inquiry, "Whom shall I see in heaven?" He replied, "Jesus; for he appears in the midst of the throne as a Lamb that has been slain." "Yes, yes; but whom else shall I see?" Mr. Scott replied, "All the good people of former ages are now in heaven; you will meet with them." But, as if not yet satisfied, she said, "Shall I see any of the Missionary Society?" meaning the friends and supporters of the Society. Mr. Scott said, "Do you wish to see them?" "Oh! yes, yes, massa, and say, 'Thank you for the gospel!'" Dear young readers! How will you feel in heaven, when happy, ransomed souls come near and say, "Thank you, thank you for the gospel; you sent the gospel to me?" With a heart full of more love and joy than the heart can hold here, you will tune your harp afresh, and burst forth into a louder song; and the song will be, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory." A HEAVEN OR A HELL FOR BOYS AS WELL AS MEN.-A FATHER'S LETTER. MY DEAR SON,-I sincerely hope you are beginning to be truly sensible of the danger of sin, and the necessity of seeking the Lord very early. Your life is an uncertainty, at best; occasional indispositions should remind you that you may never arrive at man's estate. If you are to die a boy, we must look for a boy's religion, a boy's knowledge, a boy's faith, a boy's Saviour, a boy's salvation! Or else, a boy's ignorance, a boy's obstinacy, a boy's unbelief, a boy's idolatry, a boy's destruction! Remember all this, and beware of sin; dread the sinfulness of an unchanged heart; pray for a new one; pray for grace and pardon, and a soul conformed to the image of Christ Jesus; pray for wisdom, for the destruction of pride, vain conceit, and self-sufficiency: Be not slothful in business; but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." TO AN ORPHAN. BY MRS. HEMANS. L. R. To sleep in silvery stillness bound, This world hath no more love to give Yet the heart breaks not; we survive But, oh! too beautiful and blest Thy home of youth hath been; Where shall thy wing, poor bird, find rest, Shut out from that sweet scene? Kind voices from departed years Must haunt thee many a day; Friends-now the alter'd or the dead, That all thy sorrow lies; And brave the tempest's wrong Thon reed, o'er which the storm hath pass'd, Thou shaken with the wind, On one, one Friend thy weakness cast; There is but One to bind. THE FLY. NAY, do not kill the little fly, It loves to sport in sunbeam bright, Its little legs, so slender made, When baby's grown a bigger boy, Off it goes, and bounds away, |